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Sam wasn't in a rush to set off on his journey just yet.
Before anything else, he wanted to make good use of the gifts he'd just received to strengthen his Pokémon.
Although Sam's outward identity was that of a historical researcher, he had his own Pokémon partner.
One raised with care, trust, and strength from the very beginning.
Reaching to his waist, Sam unclipped a Poké Ball and pressed the activation button.
With a flash of red light, a Pokémon appeared in front of him—its figure solid, proud, and sharp.
It stood at around 1.5 meters tall. Its body was a seamless fusion of blue and black, covered in streamlined muscle like it had been carved from the forges of Oreburgh City itself.
A pair of red eyes locked onto Sam immediately, burning with loyalty.
It was Lucario.
Nicknamed "Dog" by many, but to Sam—he was much more than that.
[Pokémon: Lucario]
[Gender: Male]
[Type: Steel / Fighting]
[Ability: Justified- When hit by a Dark-type move, Attack increases. Consecutive hits further stack the effect.]
[Level: 40 (Low-tier Gym Level)]
[Potential: Champion Rank]
[Moveset: Aura Sphere, Detect, Feint, Rock Smash, Metal Claw, Quick Attack, Power-Up Punch, Bone Rush, Meteor Mash, Swords Dance]
[Egg Moves: Cross Chop, High Jump Kick, Vacuum Wave, Bullet Punch]
[Contest Condition: Good]
[Notes: This Lucario shows exceptional physical aptitude and burst strength. Its muscle resilience and kinetic reflexes, particularly with Quick Attack, are well beyond average.]
Sam read the data from his system's Eye of Detection and couldn't help nodding to himself.
"Impressive as always, Luca."
Though Lucario was currently only at early Gym Leader level, his growth potential stretched all the way to the Champion threshold.
That kind of ceiling was rare. And entirely expected—after all, Lucario was handpicked by none other than Professor Carolina herself.
Of course, she wouldn't give him a low-tier starter.
Lucario gave a happy bark.
"Luka~!"
As always, his aura was calm but alert, his body slightly leaning forward like he was ready to spring into battle at any moment.
Sam smiled and patted the top of his head.
"I'm planning to take you out on the road for real this time," he said gently.
"Get some training, battle new rivals. Sound good?"
Lucario's eyes lit up.
"Luka!"
There was no hesitation in his answer.
For all the peace and warmth of Celestic Town, there was something deep inside Lucario that burned brighter.
A desire to grow stronger. To sharpen himself through real battle.
To test his skills against unfamiliar foes. To protect the one he had bonded with.
That was simply the nature of a warrior like him.
Lucario's kind were known for their mastery of aura—the Aura energy that flowed through all living things.
It wasn't just a power used in battle, but a connection.
A bridge of emotion between Pokémon and Trainer.
Sam could feel it now, clearly.
The anticipation. The excitement.
The will to become more.
"I know," Sam said, smiling.
"You've been waiting for this."
Lucario tilted his head as Sam reached into his satchel and pulled out a glimmering object.
A small, crystalline gem—pale silver, veined with radiant steel-like streaks.
The Steel Gem.
"I've got something for you, Luca," Sam said.
He opened his palm.
Lucario's eyes widened instantly.
"Luka?!"
A soft white glow began to pulse from the stone—resonating subtly with Lucario's own aura.
He took a cautious step forward, eyes fixated on the gem as if it were calling to something deep inside him.
"Is it… for me?"
Sam nodded.
"It's yours."
Lucario stood still for a moment, expression stunned.
Then his paws curled into fists, trembling slightly—not from fear, but from the surge of pressure he could feel emanating from the gem.
It wasn't just energy. It was evolution. Promise. Growth.
It matched his soul.
"Go ahead," Sam said.
"Absorb it."
Lucario placed his paw on the glowing gem.
A sudden rush of power flooded through the room.
White light burst outward in a gentle wave, not explosive, but deep, like molten metal flowing through veins of ore.
Sam shielded his eyes as Lucario's body glowed briefly, then the light faded into his chest.
When the light died down, Lucario stood still.
Steam curled from his shoulders.
His body had changed subtly, but meaningfully.
Muscles tighter.
Movements cleaner.
A new sharpness to his aura.
As if his potential had just been polished, not altered, but awakened.
[Lucario has absorbed the Steel Gem.]
[Hidden potential increased.]
[Resistance to physical impacts has improved.]
[Steel-type skills now grow faster with training.]
Sam's system updated with the message.
He looked at Lucario with pride.
"Well?"
Lucario opened his paws. Then closed them again—faster than before.
Power hummed beneath his fur.
"Luka…"
His eyes gleamed. This wasn't just a physical boost—it was a spark to ignite everything he had been holding back.
He took a deep breath, then slowly expanded the aura within his body.
But Sam's Eye of Detection activated instinctively, scanning Lucario's state.
And what it revealed made Sam freeze.
[Pokémon: Lucario]
[Gender: Male]
[Type: Steel / Fighting]
[Ability: Justified (Triggers ATK boost when struck by Dark-type moves. Consecutive hits will stack effects.)]
[Level: 40 (Low-tier Gym)]
[Potential: Lower Level – Tier 3 Legendary]
[Moves: Aura Sphere, Detect, Feint, Rock Smash, Metal Claw, Quick Attack, Power-Up Punch, Bone Rush, Meteor Mash, Swords Dance]
[Egg Moves: Cross Chop, High Jump Kick, Vacuum Wave, Bullet Punch]
[Contest Condition: Perfect]
[Notes: Lucario's physical and spiritual aptitude have evolved significantly. Muscle fiber density, Aura resonance, and battle potential now exceed standard Champion thresholds. Excellent comprehension of high-speed techniques.]
Sam's heart thudded in his chest.
"Third-level Legendary-tier potential."
Before this, Lucario's potential had maxed out at Champion level—a ceiling that 99.9% of Pokémon would never surpass.
Most Pokémon, even with perfect training and lifelong dedication, would struggle to reach Champion tier, let alone break past it.
But now—
Lucario had shattered that ceiling.
He hadn't just touched the edge of potential beyond the norm—he had crossed into myth.
Tier 3 Legendary—the classification used only for Pokémon with the potential to rival Legendary.
It sat many levels above Champion, and only a handful of creatures in history had reached that domain through sheer effort and opportunity.
The climb from Champion to Legendary-tier wasn't just steep—it was near impossible without fate's direct intervention.
Yet Sam, thanks to the system, had made that miracle look effortless.
Lucario opened his eyes.
He didn't speak, but his aura pulsed differently now—deeper, calmer, more powerful. Sam felt it too.
A subtle shift, like a deeper current flowing beneath a still pond.
Lucario looked at his own hands.
Then slowly, he clenched them into fists.
Steel energy flickered faintly across his knuckles—calm and cold, yet boundlessly dense.
Sam stepped forward.
"Well?"
Lucario turned to him, smiling.
"Luka."
No words were needed.
Through their aura connection, Sam could feel it—
Lucario had grown.
Not just stronger.
But freer.
Lucario's shoulders were lighter. The hunger to grow—to prove himself—hadn't faded, but now it sat on a foundation of confidence.
A quiet certainty.
He had the strength to challenge the world.
"Luca", Sam whispered, pride welling up.
"From today onward… you're no longer just my starter."
"You're the first Legendary-tier Pokémon on this team."
Lucario straightened his spine slightly, ears flicking.
Then he bowed briefly but meaningfully toward Sam.
A warrior's salute.